The holidays are the time of year to use extreme safety precautions in our homes as well as when shopping for children, according to a University of Tennessee child development specialist.

Matt Devereaux, an associate professor with UT Extension's Family and Consumer Sciences Department, said, "Christmas tree lights appear to be a simple pleasure of the season; however those little bulbs can be a danger to a child. It is the parents' responsibility to protect their children by keeping holiday lights, lamps that can tip over, uncovered electrical outlets, matches and candles out of reach."

Babies are curious about everything, and they explore by climbing, touching and pulling things they are not tall enough to see. Other hazards in the home may be breakable glass, sewing items, plastic bags, marbles and other tiny toys, plastic toys that break with sharp edges and scissors used when gift-wrapping.

Parents should be careful of the new toys that come into their homes, Devereaux says. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges gift-givers to keep child safety in mind when choosing toys. "Children are hurt by toys each year, but by always reading the labels and being safety conscious, parents and care givers can help prevent toy-related injuries," Devereaux said.

The following tips will help when choosing appropriate toys this holiday season:

UT Extension operates in each of Tennessee's 95 counties as the off-campus division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. An educational outreach organization, funded by federal, state and local governments, UT Extension, in cooperation with Tennessee State University, brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and youth and community development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work.